Nottm Forest V Huddersfield at The City Ground : Match Preview

02 August 2013 01:01

Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies expects to have a fully-fit squad for the opening game of the season against Huddersfield at the City Ground.

After seeing the squad he inherited narrowly miss out on a play-off spot last season, Davies has now stamped his mark on the group ahead of his first full campaign back on the banks of the River Trent.

The departure of Lewis McGugan has been offset by the summer arrivals of forwards Jamie Paterson, Djamel Abdoun and Jamie Mackie, while full-back Eric Lichaj and goalkeeper Dorus De Vries have also been brought in.

Striker Darius Henderson and defender Gonzalo Jara Reyes have signed permanent deals with the Reds having been on loan at the club last season.

Martin Paterson and James Vaughan are expected to form a new-look strike-force for Huddersfield.

Former Burnley forward Paterson could start alongside Vaughan, who signed a permanent deal with the club this summer after his loan from Norwich last season.

Defender Jonathan Hogg, signed from Watford for an undisclosed fee, is likely to make his debut and Adam Hammill is hoping to start following his arrival from Wolves. The winger spent four months on loan with Huddersfield last season.

Another new recruit, striker Jon Stead, could be included in the squad after a groin injury, but defenders Anthony Gerrard (calf) and Calum Woods (collarbone), plus midfield pair Keith Southern (calf) and Anton Robinson (knee) are out.